Tag Archives: Ole Hammarlund

Brought to life in 1976 by the New Alchemy Institute and Solsearch Architects as “an early exploration in weaving together the sun, wind, biology, and architecture for the benefit of humanity,” the Ark bioshelter on P.E.I. integrated ecological design features to provide autonomous life support for a family.

An exhibition exploring this innovative experiment into sustainable building in Canada opened this past fall at the Confederation Centre Art Gallery (CCAG). The opening also marked the 40th anniversary of the Ark on P.E.I. and in the past four months, LivingLightly on the Earth: building an Ark for Prince Edward Island has attracted visitors from across the country and garnered media attention from The Globe and Mail, Canadian Architect, Harrowsmith, and beyond.

The exhibition’s closing will be celebrated with a reception and panel discussion on Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. in the Gallery. All are welcome to this free public event. Exhibition curator Steven Mannell, who directs the College of Sustainability at Dalhousie will be featured in a panel discussion alongside original Ark project architects David Bergmark and Ole Hammarlund, among others. Additional speakers and guests will be announced in the weeks ahead.

An accompanying publication, Living Lightly on the Earth, courtesy of Dalhousie Architecture Press, will be available later this spring. A companion website to this exhibition http://www.peiark.com, is still available for members of the public to share their own stories, photographs, and experiences of the P.E.I. Ark.

This collaborative exhibition is produced by CCAG with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and BGHJ Architects. Mannell’s exhibition team also included Assistant Curator Lukas Bergmark and Research Assistant Megan Peck.